The University of Texas at Austin provides a safe and secure environment for the university community. Keeping campus safe for the students, staff and faculty who live and work here is of paramount importance to every department on campus.
University of Texas Police Department
The University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) offers information on crime prevention, sexual assault, tips for safely navigating campus, tips for reporting crimes and much more.
UTPD provides a network of outdoor emergency phones around campus which are mounted in yellow call boxes, have a blue light on top and are clearly marked. Pushing the call button activates a direct phone line with UTPD that automatically pinpoints the caller’s location.
UTPD also publishes Campus Watch, a daily e-mail that addresses the crimes that occur on campus.
To contact UTPD directly call 512-471-4441 or dial 911 on campus in the event of an emergency.
Emergency Information
For information about campus emergencies as well as links to local, state and federal emergency information, visit Emergency Information.
Emergency Preparedness
A big part of staying safe involves knowing what to do in an emergency and making sure you have the right tools to do so. Use the information below as a resource to better understand emergency preparedness at the university:
- Behavior Concerns Advice Line
- Campus Closures
- Campus Crime Statistics from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
- Emergency Communication Tools
- Emergency Plans
- Live Safe: A safety guide for off-campus housing
- Safety Procedures for Evacuation, Severe/Inclement Weather, Tornados and Hazardous Material
- Safety Protocols: What to Do If You See Armed Subjects or Disruptive Individuals
- Sirens on Campus
Campus Safety
The Campus Safety and Security office ensures safety on campus by overseeing Emergency Preparedness, Environmental Health and Safety, Fire Prevention Services, Parking and Transportation, and The University of Texas Police Department.
Be Safe, Texas
Be Safe, Texas is a public awareness campaign designed to give the university community a no-nonsense safety resource. Be Safe, Texas provides four basic Web links that can help keep you safe and resources to stay informed and take action.
Behavior Concerns Advice Line
The Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL) is a partnership between the Office of the Dean of Students, the Counseling and Mental Health Center, the Employee Assistance Program and the University of Texas Police Department. The service provides students, faculty and staff an opportunity to discuss their concerns about another individual’s behavior.
BCAL is a 24-hour/seven-days-a-week advice line. Trained staff members will assist the caller in exploring available options and strategies. They will also provide appropriate guidance and resource referrals to address the particular situation.
The BCAL number is 512-232-5050.
Counseling and Mental Health Center
The Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) helps students with their personal concerns so they can meet the daily challenges of student life. CMHC provides short-term individual counseling, psychiatric services and group counseling. CMHC is staffed by psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and other mental health professionals.
CMHC also offers telephone counseling, a confidential service that offers an opportunity for students to talk with trained counselors about their problems and concerns. A counselor is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. You can call when you want, at your convenience, in the privacy of your home.
The number is 512-471-CALL (2255).
CMHC also addresses issues of dating/relationship violence, sexual violence and stalking through its Voices Against Violence program.
The CMHC is in the Student Services Building,100 W. Dean Keaton Street, on the fifth floor. Students may schedule appointments or learn more by calling 512-471-3515 or visiting Counseling and Mental Health Center.
